The site says producers have approached the rapper/entrepreneur about joining the show for Season 12. Combs did not respond to the paper’s request for comment, as the renowned party host was busy planning his latest Ibiza shindig. Diddy is already the wealthiest artist in hip-hop and would probably command a big salary, but how cool would it be to see him at the judges’ table next to Mariah Carey?

Diddy has never been much of a traditional singer, but he was one of the most successful rappers of the late ’90s with hits like ‘Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down’ and his Notorious B.I.G. tribute ‘I’ll Be Missing You.’ His last music project was the 2010 Diddy-Dirty Money album ‘Last Train to Paris.’

Regardless of whether Diddy gets selected, Season 12 of ‘Idol’ will have a very different look now that Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are out. Randy Jackson is presumably returning, but even he hasn’t confirmed anything yet. ‘Idol’ returns to the airwaves in early 2013.